ATHENS, Ohio (Oct. 13, 2006) -- Ohio University Dining Services has announced that The Oasis facility will close at the end of the business day on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

Ohio University Dining Services has assured all Oasis employees that they will be offered positions at the new Baker University Center or other food service operations on campus with an equivalent job title and pay grade.

When the university decided to close The Oasis it considered two critical factors. First, the Oasis building is in need of major repair to its infrastructure and utilities. Second, the current and future dining options for students in that area of campus are vast and include many unique and appealing options.

The Oasis, located at the intersection of Park Place and University Terrace, currently operates as a restaurant and convenience store.

With the closing of The Oasis, Dining Services announced it is developing a plan for the Shively Dining Hall Grab-n-Go to offer extended hours and an enhanced menu.

Dining Services also submitted a business proposal to the university to operate the Oasis building as a grocery/convenience store that specializes in natural and organic foods not sold at other campus locations. The store also would serve nonalcoholic beverages and light food items and provide wireless Internet access.

The university has not confirmed when it will announce its plan for The Oasis site.

Dining Services is the largest student employer on the Athens campus with more than 700 student workers. When the new Baker University Center opens in January, the student employee number will increase to nearly 1,000.

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Media Contact: Media Specialist George Mauzy at 740-597-1794 or mauzy@ohio.edu